Caliph Harun al-Rashid really did send an elephant to Emperor Charlemagne, and a man named Isaac really did deliver him. Though we know much about the two great leaders from histories, records, and even biographies written in their time, all we know about Isaac is that he was Jewish. Charlemagne probably recruited him to be his emissary because of Isaac's connections to Jewish communities along the trade routes of both the East and the West. The story of Abul-Abbas, therefore, shows members of the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths working together.

Author Biography

Karen Neis is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where she majored in Medieval Studies and minored in Studio Art. The story of Abul-Abbas sparked her interest in animals, political cooperation, and the beauty of medieval art. She uses a variety of artistic media to breathe life into our perception of the Middle Ages and to express her love for popular culture. A Trekkie, medievalist, and fantasy-lover, she currently lives in Orange County, California with her family and her cat - named Charlemagne, or Charlie for short.